Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-11-04
THE WINANS FAMILY.
The Brothers Went to Rus
sia and Became Rich.
GREAT RAILROAD SCHEME.
It Resulted in Yielding Millions
to the observation-disclosures
sOf a Plucky Venture.

Ross Wlnans, the Baltimore million
aire, has spent but little time in his
grand mansion here since his cele
brated litigation with Mrs. O'keefei
the boarding-house keeper in New
York, who claimed to have married
him abroad when he was a student al
Oxford, England. 1t has been re.
ported lately that the case has not yet
been finally settled. The parading.o1
those gushing love-letters which had
passed between Winans and the
O'Keefe woman during their love
escapade was a sad blow so Mrs.
Winans, and since the notorious scan
dal she has not appeared in Baltimore
society. The family has spent most
of the time at "Bleak House" the Win
ans Newport villa, q glcomy-looking
place on the beach, the breakers in
the winter storms rolling nearly up
to the gateway. But little is known
by the general world for the follies
and eccentricities of this family, not
only remarkable for their enormous
wealth, but for the uses to which they
put it.
Fifty years ago Thomas and Will
liam Winans, brothers, were unpre-
tentious civil engineers in this city,
making fair living for young men in
their profession. But the narrow
confines of this town could not con-
tain their budding scientific genius.
They rapidly obtained celebrity as
railroad engineers. Russia had just
begun to agitate the railroad
question, The Winans saw
there we're millions in it. Off
they started. for Russia, with
their maps and drawings for lines Of
railroad across that great cold coun-
try. The story Of how they secured
the contract and by single stroke led
the way to millions upon millions in
wealth, will bear repeating.
After all the engineers whom Gar
Nicholas had gathered about him in
consultation had given their respective
opinions as to the best practicable
routes for the proposed railroad, the
Gear, confused by the many ideas and
plans advanced, took up ruler,
and drawing a straight line across the
map of Russia from st. Petersburg
to Moscow, handed it to them as the
final route OF the line. 1t was an
imperial mandate. The Russian en-
gineers were frightened out OF their
senses. Not one of them could grasp
so great an engineering feat. The OBJ
stacles in the way seemed insur-
mountable. Other foreign engineers
would have nothing to do with it.
Then the Winans stepped in and Of
fered to take the contract.
"Give it to the audacious Ameri-
cans" said the Gar, stipulating a
heavy forfeit should they fail to keep
the contract. To work they went, and
successfully constructed the road,
which was then considered great en-
gineering feat. The Winans brothers
are said to have cleared 100000
600 on their famous Russian
railroad contracts, for they con
strueted several other lines connecting
with the great National line to the
Russian capital. 1t was not until 1861.
however, that. a complete, successful
locomotive was built in Russia. In
those days the Russian locomotives
burned wood altogether So pleased
was the Czar at the great work sue
cessfully carried through by the "au-
dacious" Americans that he decorated
them with royal favors. Thomas
Winans, while railroad building in
Russia, found time for love-making
with the daughter of a shopkeeper in
Moscow. She died, leaving him two
children, Ross Winans and Celeste,
the later now married to an English
man in the diplomatic service.
After constructing the Russian rail-
roads the Winan brothers quit busi-
ness. William married an English
woman of the middle class and took
up his home in England. Thomas
returned to this country and bought a
whole block Of property on West Bal
timore street, the principal thorough
fare in the city, and spent over a
million on magnificent mansion,
surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Both the brothers had hobbies.
William had nervous dread of cross
ing the ocean. He has frequently ex-
pressed desire to visit the home OF
his boyhood, but whenever speaking
of America he says:
t1 will never go there until | can
cross on railroad. No ocean steam
ers for me-"
In letter responding to the invita-
ton of an old Baltimore friend to visit
him. Mr.. Winans wrote:
"I would not cross the ocean for
5000, 900 cash.
The ship the brothers sailed in
when they first went to Russia was
nearly wrecked, and william ever re-
membered that terrible experience.
He still continues to work on
models of queer machinery, hav-
ing a hobby in that line. His
income, according to his own re-
turns, is about So ,000, 900 a year.
Next to the Rothschilds and the Duke
of Westminster he is the richest man
in England. He is charitable, and
spends money lavishIy. He has a
splendid residence in Kensington
Gardens, and as an illustration OF
his eccentricity it may be stated that
when he finished his grand house he
had a $50, 900 Administer carpet made
from special designs for the drawing
room. When it was laid he was dis
appointed. 1t did not meet his idea,
SO. he ordered another from different
designs. When the second carpet
came, the question arose as to what
was to be done with the first. MIR.
Winans thought for moment.
"Just put down the second over the
first" he said; SO carpet No. went
down over the first, and thus it is that
Mr.. VIM. Winans has the most ex-
pensively carpeted room in all Lon
don, not excepting the Queens pal
ace. Mrs. VIM. Winans has never
been society woman. She prefers
to live in their cosy home at Brighton
rather than the costly London estab
lishment or their estate in Scotland
MIR. Winans is very fond of music